3 - Minutes, 6/21/04~Q~~~~~o June 2004
Minutes
Agenda Item III
CITY OF BOULDER
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
June 21, 2004
6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
1777 Broadway, 2"d Floor
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Brenda Lyle
Mariagnes Medrud
Jill McFadden
Nino Gallo
Rob Smoke
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
None.
STAFF PRESENT:
Carmen Milano
John Bunzlr
Richard Johnson
Erika Krouse
Artel Colonne
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair M. Medrud called the meeting to older at 6.05 p m
2. AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS
None.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
N. Gallo moved to approve the May, 2004 HRC minutes, R. Smoke seconded. The
motion passed 5-0.
4. PUBLIC HEARING {Agenda Items)
There was discussion and testimony from Justice for Janitors regarding the desire to
organize m Boulder for affordable health care, living wages, and guaranteed nghts wrthm
the workplace Several employees of Somers Building Maintenance spoke on how their
rights were violated due to involvement with the union.
5. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION (Non-agenda items)
Betty Ball spoke on the Interdependence Day celebration from noon to 8 p m. on July 3rd
on the Boulder Public Library lawn, and asked the HRC to co-sponsor the event J.
McFadden moved to make co-sponsorship an immediate action item. R. Smoke
seconded. The motion passed 5-0
6. ACTION ITEMS
A. Justice for Janitors, C. Atilano -Justice for Janitors alleges that Somers Building
Maintenance, a large maintenance company, is opposing the union by threatening,
harassing, and finng employees involved m organizing. Ariel Calonne commented on
legal issues. R. Smoke moved to have Staff work with SEN to produce arguments from
both sides, and a possible resolution for recommendation to Crty Council. J. McFadden
seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
7. DISCUSSION/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. Centro Amistad Community Meetings, J. Santiago - J. Santiago reported that the
HRC had assigned $1000 for El Centro Amistad to conduct four meetings on housing and
labor discrimination issues. The first meeting had been held, and he will report on the
succeeding meetings at the next HRC meeting.
B. Boards and Commissions General Provisions (B.R.C. Title 2), R. Johnson -
Regardmg the effort to open board and commission eligibility to non-citizens suggested
at the last meeting, pieliminary discussion by the Charter Committee does not favor a
charter change.
C. Resolution on Federal Marriage Amendment, R. Johnson -City Council altered
Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Resolution, with Section 6 strengthened to encourage
participation the County Commissioners, County Clerk, and County Attorney. Council
also asked the County Attorney to evaluate the constitutionality of Section 14-2-104, and
if determined unconstitutional, to request the County Clerk to issue marriage licenses to
any two committed, consenting, and unrelated adults
D. Cultural Celebrations Fund Timeline, C. Atilano -The deadline for Cultural
Celebration Fund proposals is June 25'h.
E. Anti-discrimination Issue: Ladies' Night, C. Atilano - A recent New Jersey ruling
resembles a Bouldei debate m the 1980s when the Office of Human Rights received
complaints and found that Ladies' Night was discriminatory
F. The OHR Times, C. Atilano -The Office of Human Rights has begun distribution of
the OHR Times, a quarterly bulletin to enhance community awaieness of hot issues
regarding civil nghts The bulletin was mailed to the Human Services Fund applicants,
Cultural Celebrations Fund awardees, and various other community groups.
8. IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEMS
B. Lyle moved to consider co-sponsorship of Interdependence Day as an immediate
action item. R. Smoke seconded, and the motion passed 5-0. B. Lyle moved for the HRC
to become a co-sponsor supporter of the Interdependence Day celebration. N. Gallo
seconded, and the motion passed 5-0.
9. ADJOURNMENT
B. Lyle moved to adJourn, and R. Smoke seconded The motion passed 5-0. The
meeting was adJouined at 7 40 p.m by M. Medrud.